Friday, March 03, 2000
Primary causes little stir in Lebanon
BY PATRICK CROWLEY
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON — Four years ago, residents of this historic Warren County town weren't simply talking about the presidential campaign. They were a part of it.
In early October of that election year, Bob Dole, the Republican candidate for president, rolled on to South Broadway and into the Village Ice Cream Parlor & Restaurant to mug for a crowd of TV cameras, slurp down a chocolate shake and drum up support in a community known for backing the GOP.
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VOTING PROFILE
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• Lebanon population: 13,800
• Warren Co. population: 140,000
• Voter registration (countywide):
•—Republican — 20,079
—Democrat — 5,711
—Reform Party — 42
—Independent — 64,952
• 1996 presidential election results (countywide):
—Republican Bob Dole — 33,210 (60%)
—Democrat Bill Clinton — 17,089 (31%)
—Reformer Ross Perot — 4,689 (9%)
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“It was real exciting,” owner Susie Alexander recalled late Thursday morning, shortly after opening her turn-of-the-century style soda fountain and sandwich shop, where photos of Mr. Dole's visit greet customers as they walk in the door.
“Ted Koppel from Nightline was even here.”
It's not as easy to find Lebanon residents that excited about this year's presidential campaigns, even as Ohio's primary looms.
“People just aren't talking about it that much,” said Paula Long, a server at the ice cream parlor who used her new video camera to tape Mr. Dole's visit that day in 1996.
“The other night a woman came in with some (George
W.) Bush stickers on,” said Alice Coffman, also a server. “I heard her say she had been down at a rally for Bush in Cincinnati, but she didn't really talk too much about it.”
Said Ms. Long: “I think people will eventually get into it. They better. The primary is next week, right?”
Voters here and in the rest of the state go to the polls Tuesday as part of the Super Tuesday primary.
Lebanon is the county seat of Warren County, a fast-growing community 35 miles north of Cincinnati and just west of Interstate 71. Its many antique dealers, quaint shops, bed-and-breakfasts and charming eateries attract tourists year-round.
Visitors can take a 7-mile train ride through the Warren County countryside on the Turtle Creek Valley Railway or enjoy a meal at the historic Golden Lamb Inn, which opened in 1815 and entertained, among others, John Quincy Adams and Charles Dickens.
When locals on the streets and in the shops of downtown Lebanon are asked about the primary, there is little talk of the Democratic contest between Vice President Al Gore, the party's front-runner, and former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley.
Most of the conversation turns to the Republicans — Mr. Bush, the governor of Texas, and Arizona Sen. John McCain.
That's hardly a surprise.
According to voter registration tallies at the Warren County Board of Elections, Republicans outnumber Democrats nearly 4-to-1.
It's easy to see why Mr. Dole came here four years ago. He easily carried the county with about 60 percent of the vote, though he lost the national race to President Clinton.
“Oh, this county will vote big Republican” in next week's primary, Ms. Long predicted. “But I'm not just sure who they will go for.
“I like (Mr.) McCain. He was in the service, and I like his military background. That's important for a president. I hope he wins.”
Down the street, Ted and Joy Kossouji make it apparent they know politics about as well as they know candy.
The couple owns the Golden Turtle Chocolate Factory, a shop that seduces customers with the sweet smell of homemade confections that roll out the front door as it opens.
“We make almost everything by hand,” said Mr. Kossouji as he pointed to a glass case stocked with items such as almond toffee, hazelnut truffles and the store's signature Texas Tortoises, a concoction of Texas pecans smothered in caramel and wrapped in deep chocolate.
“But let me tell you, it can get boring stirring 80 pounds of chocolate, so I listen to a lot of talk radio, we read a lot and we like to follow politics,” he said.
A registered Republican, Mr. Kossouji, 62, isn't sure how he'll vote Tuesday. Neither of the GOP's candidates have “really turned my head,” he said.
In 1996 he liked Reform Party candidate Ross Perot. And he wishes publisher Steve Forbes, who dropped out of contention after a disappointing finish in the Feb. 28 New Hampshire primary, was still in the race.
“I think we need someone to restore some dignity to the office after Bill Clinton and all his scandals,” Mr. Kossouji said. “But we also need someone who knows what they're doing with the economy, and I'm just not sure yet who can do the best job on that.”
Mrs. Kossouji is more sure of her choice.
“I like John McCain,” she said. “I like some of his ideas like his tax cut. And I really like him.
“He's exciting. He's fresh. And he's not wrapped with the old establishment like Bush is. I think he brings something new to politics, and I like that.”
That's the same way Adam Gibb feels.
Mr. Gibb, a 23-year-old salesman at Charles Wilson Ford in Lebanon and the father of two young children with a third on the way, likes Mr. McCain's style.
“He's just so different than all the other candidates from either party,” Mr. Gibb said as he stood in line at The Donut Shop on Columbus Avenue, just outside downtown.
Mr. Gibb, a Republican, will be voting in his first presidential primary next week and he's eager to cast his ballot for Mr. McCain.
“It's not really his ideas as much as his personality and his story of being a war hero that people like so much,” Mr. Gibb said. “He comes across as a leader. We need that in this country.”
When Bill Turner walks in the shop, the regulars start to give him a good-natured hard time.
“There's the only Democrat in town,” somebody yells.
“That's not quite true,” Mr. Turner, 74, shoots back with a smile. “But it's close.”
After ordering a hot tea and a croissant from owner Pam Ullum, Mr. Turner settles in with his morning crew and admits he may not back a Democrat next week.
“I like Clinton,” he said. “He did a good job. But he had his problems, and that might hurt the Democrats in this election.”
While the morning conversation around the shop's counter often focuses on the Lebanon High School Warriors, whose wrestling and basketball teams are playing in this weekend's state tournaments, Mr. Turner's comments elicit a response from another regular.
“I like George Bush,” said Roger Turvy, 60, a retiree and former owner of a computer supply business.
“And I don't care for McCain. Not after that Keating Five business,” he said, referring to the 1980s scandal involving alleged favors Mr. McCain gave former Cincinnati businessman Charles Keating Jr., who had contributed to Mr. McCain's Senate campaigns.
But it turns out Mr. Turner wasn't the only Democrat in The Donut Shop Thursday morning.
Don Sargent, 58, a retired General Motors worker who operates Sargent Bowling Lanes in Lebanon, is a self-described “Dixiecrat,” a nearly extinct breed of political animal known for conservative views and ties to southern Democrats. Most Dixiecrats ultimately changed parties and became Republicans.
“I still can't decide,” said Mr. Sargent, who is trying to choose between Mr. Gore, Mr. McCain and Mr. Bush.
“I'm just not there yet. But I guess I'll know by Tuesday.”
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